MAE4, an eLtaS monoclonal antibody, blocks Staphylococcus aureus virulence

Sci Rep. 2015 Nov 24:5:17215. doi: 10.1038/srep17215.

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus causes a wide range of infectious diseases. Treatment of these infections has become increasingly difficult due to the widespread emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains; therefore, it is essential to explore effective alternatives to antibiotics. A secreted protein of S. aureus, known as eLtaS, is an extracellular protein released from the bacterial membrane protein, LtaS. However, the role of eLtaS in S. aureus pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Here we show eLtaS dramatically aggravates S. aureus infection by binding to C3b and then inhibiting the phagocytosis of C3b-deposited S. aureus. Furthermore, we developed a monoclonal antibody against eLtaS, MAE4, which neutralizes the activity of eLtaS and blocks staphylococcal evasion of phagocytosis. Consequently, MAE4 is capable of protecting mice from lethal S. aureus infection. Our findings reveal that targeting of eLtaS by MAE4 is a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by S. aureus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Complement C3b / chemistry
  • Complement C3b / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neutrophils / cytology
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Phagocytosis / drug effects
  • Protein Binding
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections / mortality
  • Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary
  • Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism
  • Staphylococcus aureus / pathogenicity*
  • Survival Rate
  • Virulence / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Complement C3b